(19)

(11)

EP 1 542 597 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.06.2005 Bulletin 2005/25 (21) Application number: 03794610.0 (22) Date of filing: 02.09.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/027661 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/021893 (18.03.2004 Gazette 2004/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 03.09.2002 US 233879 (71) Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Irvine, CA 92614 (US)	(72) Inventor: BACHMAN, Alan, B. Milford, CT 06460 (US) (74) Representative: Parry, Christopher Stephen  Saunders & Dolleymore,9 Rickmansworth Road Watford, Herts. WD18 0JU Watford, Herts. WD18 0JU (GB)